Paladins set for Top 25 battle with S.C. State

Furman's Caleb Easterling was named SoCon Defensive Player of the Week thanks
to his efforts in the Paladins win at Mercer. Photo courtesy of Furman

After improving to 11-5 against ranked opponents since 2021 last Saturday, Furman gets a chance to increase that total just a week later. The Paladins (2-1) take on South Carolina State, which is ranked No. 18 in the Stats Perform FCS (media) Top 25 and No. 14 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, Saturday at 7 p.m. at Paladin Stadium.

It will be a ranked matchup - at least in the coaches' top 25 - as Furman entered that poll this week at No. 24. The Paladins were second among others receiving votes in the media rankings. Despite a 20-13 win at then No. 18/14 Mercer last Saturday, Furman remained behind the Bears in both polls. That just shows the silliness of polls in general, especially in September. That's only becoming more true in this era of college football with most teams having rosters overhauled each year.

The Bulldogs come rolling into Greenville following three blowout wins to start the season. While S.C. State's strength of schedule currently ranks 115th out of the 128 teams in the FCS, its statistics are still eye-popping. The Bulldogs rank nationally:

• First in total defense (130.7 yards allowed per game - 92 less than second-place Elon)
• Fourth in total offense (528.7 yards per game)
• First in scoring defense (4.3 points per game)
• First in scoring offense (61.3 points per game)
• First in passing yards allowed (87.7 per game)
• First in rushing yards allowed (43.0 per game)
• First in yards per carry allowed (1.37)
• First in rushing yards (332.3 per game)
• First in yards per carry (7.91)
• Fourth in third-down percentage (56.7)
• Fourth in third-down defense (one spot ahead of Furman at 20.9 percent)
• Tied for first in fourth-down defense (opponents are 0-for-4)
• Tied for first in defensive touchdowns (2)
• First in first downs allowed (24)
• Third in first downs gained (78)
• Tied for first in fumble recoveries (6)
• Tied for first in sacks allowed (0)
• Tied for second in tackles-for-loss allowed (2)
• First in pass efficiency defense (61.24)
• Second in tackles-for-loss (9.3 per game)

The Bulldogs' leader offensively is running back Mason Pickett-Hicks. He's third in the country in rushing with 425 yards and first in yards per carry (11.5). Meanwhile, teammate Ricorian Brown has rushed for 138 yards on just 10 carries.

This series has had some memorable games, including the last matchup in 2015. In what might have been the most hurricane-like conditions ever played in at Paladin Stadium, Furman pulled out a 17-3 victory. The Paladins have gone 8-1 all-time against the Bulldogs at Paladin Stadium. That lone S.C. State win came in the teams' first meeting, when the Bulldogs left Greenville with a 21-0 triumph in the then I-AA playoffs.

"We will certainly have another huge challenge this week. ... It's just crazy the numbers they've put up," Furman coach Clay Hendrix said during his Tuesday press conference. "When I came back in '17, we tried to immediately start trying to get them on the schedule. It just makes total sense in all kinds of ways, proximity, economically and we've had great games with them in the past.

"We're excited to have them back on the schedule, but we happened to schedule them at a time when they're pretty darn good. Coach (Chennis) Berry has done a phenomenal job. He hasn't been there very long, but man, they've been good. They won the HBCU national championship a year ago. They were down in that game and just fought and found a way to get it done."

Easterling honored

When Caleb Easterling was assisted off the field due to a leg injury at Tennessee at Sept. 4, it looked like there may be no telling how many weeks he'd be out. Unfortunately for Mercer, that answer was zero. The sophomore cornerback from Richmond Hill, Georgia had seven tackles and two of Furman's five interceptions to help lead the Paladins to victory. His effort earned him Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors.

"That's all glory to God. When I was down on the field at Neyland Stadium, I was pretty worried about my knee but I was blessed with a speedy recovery," Easterling said. "I've got to thank him and all the trainers who worked with me all week. Early in the week, we still weren't sure but by Thursday morning, I got the green light. I was able to come back home and give my family a show."

Easterling's night was best summed up on a defensive series in which he didn't have an interception. Instead, he had his own personal three-and-out with a tackle on first down, another tackle on second down and a pass breakup on third down.

"He's a winner. He's just one of those kids," Hendrix said. "Our whole room's that way though. The character of our guys is incredible. ... That's the kind of kids we want here and you can usually win a bunch of games with them."

Injury update

Hendrix said starting punter and holder Gray Gitter may be able to return this week. He's been out since injuring his elbow in the season opener. The jury is still out on starting inside linebackers Raleigh Herbert and Caleb Ellison, who both missed much of the fourth quarter last Saturday due to injuries. They are both still listed as starters on this week's depth chart.

"Our policy is that whoever plays this week is who practices this week, so we will have to see," Hendrix said. "We're still in pretty good shape overall for being four weeks into it, especially considering the kind of games we've played."